Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has begun placing its Prague headquarters staff on unpaid leave starting April 1, due to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) withholding funds allocated by Congress for the month of April.

Despite USAGM officially retracting its previous suspension notice on March 26, Radio Free Europe has not received any portion of the promised funds. Additionally, the agency has not approved the broadcaster's financial plan for April, even though it was submitted nearly two weeks ago, according to RFE/RL.

The broadcaster has filed a motion with the U.S. District Court in Washington, seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow it to access its allocated funds for April. It has also requested a preliminary injunction to ensure the disbursement of the remaining congressional funding for the year.

RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus stated, “Our employees and their families are now paying the price, while RFE/RL continues to wait for USAGM to release the funds allocated by Congress. For over seven decades, RFE/RL has been a vital tool of U.S. national security, fighting censorship and delivering news to millions in the world's most repressive societies.”

He added that the organization will continue its legal battle until it receives sufficient assurances that USAGM will fulfill its obligations and lawfully transfer the congressionally appropriated funds.

“Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty will remain in court until we are confident that USAGM will follow the law and send us the funds Congress has allocated,” Capus emphasized.

On the social platform X, Capus also noted, “We are being forced to furlough most of our staff. Despite assurances, USAGM continues to withhold the operating funds appropriated by Congress. We are alive, but serving our audience with a reduced staff and limited resources.”

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, founded in 1953, is an independent media organization funded by the United States Congress through USAGM.

On March 14, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that significantly reduced the operations of USAGM and several other federal agencies.